Device producing ornamental bubble effects and method



Nov. 9, 1948. A. ABRAMSON 2,453,177

DEVICE PRODUCING ORNAMENT AL BUBBLE EFFECTS AND METHOD Filed Feb. 21, 946

Q INVENTOR. I AB/MH/IM 05m M50 V A Tram/HY Patented Nov. 9, l948 DEVICE PRODUCING ORNAMENTAL BUBBLE EFFECTS AND METHOD Abraham Abramson, New York, N. Y., assignor to Raylite Electric Corp Bronx, N; Y., a corporation of New York Application February 21, 1946,-Serial No. 649,158

This invention relates to the manufacture of bubble-ornament devices, and more particularly is directed to the constructions of such device and a. method of operating same.

- Among the objects of the invention is to generally improve devices of the character described and the method of operation thereof which shall comprise few and easily assembled parts, which shall be economical to manufacture and adapted for quantity production so as to provide a cheap Other objects accordingly consists of features of constructions and method, combinations of elements, arrangement of parts and steps inoperation which will be exemplified in the constructions and method hereinafter described and of which the scope of the application will indicate in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing in which possible illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown.

Fig, 1 is a, front elevationalview partly broken away to expose the interior, showing a bubbleornament device constructedto embody the'invention. 1

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 3a are cross sectional Views taken on lines 33 and Sci-4a, respectively, inFig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the double diaphragm removed from the assembly.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front elevational View showing a modified form of the invention constructed with a different diaphragm. 1

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on line 6- 6 in Fig. 5, and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view like Fig. 5 showing another modified construction embodying the invention.

Heretofore, ornamental bubbling devices of the character described used for various purposes required a high degree of skill in manufacture and assembly to obtain reliable predetermined desired result and reproductions. In the present invention such devices are made simple in construction and in method of operation, yet oper- 14 Claims. (01. 240

2 ate with positive assurance to give predetermined desired results with the unfailing reliability and dependability of performance. 7 v d To this end, as seen in the drawing there is provided an improved bubble-ornament device ll) constructed to embody the invention which is seen to include a vertically disposed transparent tube body made of glass or other translucent material designated as l I having an integral closed lower or bottom end I la, preferably made flat, and a sealed top end I lb. Said body portion ll, when the device I0 is. intended to. simulate a Christmas tree decoration may be made in appearance, such as outline, form, shape and size to 5 simulate a candle.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the tube body ll contains a suitable readily volatilizable liquid l2, such as ether, wood alcohol or any others, well known in this art which is translucent, has a low boiling point and pref: erably, is non-flammable for example, methylene chloride, or a mixture of methanol and carbon tetrachloride. The liquid l2.may be placed into the tubebody ll through the upper or v top end llb thereof before fusing the latter for hermeti cally sealing said liquid l2 therein at a level so as to leave an adequate chamber or space l3 in said tube end llb. Saidsealed spacejllabove the liquid l2 may be evacuatedto permit lowering the boiling point normally requiredfor the liquid, l2. Said space l3 constitutes a condensing and heat dissipating means for liquefaction of bub: bles l5 rising in the liquid l2 to the level thereof, as shown in Fig. 2. There is provideda double diaphragm member l6, formed preferably of a single thin sheet material comprising an upper partition layer Ilia and a lower partition layer lfib arranged in parallel spaced apart alignment bya suitable interconnecting portion ltcto provide a separating tube body or space I! of shallow depth between said. layers Ilia and lfib. Said diaphragm member ltis fitted or seated in the lower end of the tube body ll preferably to position said lower layer lfibshort of said tube bottom. end lla so" as to leave another space l8 betweensaid lower layerl'ob and tubebottom end lla.

d When ether is used .as liquid l2, copper or brass isa desirable sheet material to use for the diaphragm l6. as it forms a protective means to eliminate possible explosive derivatives; 1

Forsupplying heat to operate 'devicelll any suitablev source may beprovided as for example, as shown in Fig. 1, the tube ll is supportedwith the-lower, or bottom end .l la thereof located, in

lamp bulb 29a and upper end 221) of holder 22' snugly fit over the lower or bottom tube end IIa so that the holder 22 provides a relatively firm interconnecting support or rigid coupling between the heat source and the tub-e body I I. Theholcler 22 also serves as a conduit to guide the surrounding air heat conducting medium from glowing lamp filament 26b of the lamp bulb 29a to the tube bottom end i Ia and said space I8 therein.

In the device I9 as shown in Fig. 1, the .diaphragm member I6 is preferably tightly wedged in the position shown at the peripher thereof. Said la ers may be provided with angular edge rim or flanges Ifid and I9e to increase the gripping effect for retaining said diaphragm member lfiagainst accident displacement, and as here shown, said double diaphragm member I6 has layers Mia and I Iib thereof perforated with spaced openings I6) and IEg, respectively. When said device I is operating the liquid column I2 above the diaphragm member I 6 communicates with vapors I9 in separating section I7 between said layers Ifia and I6b, and a small quantity of liquid l2ain space I8 below'the lower partition layer Ifib, permits formation of bubbles I to pass through upper layer openings I6) as hereinafter described. I

Inpractising the invention, assuming the socket 2i is positioned on a Christmas tree (not shown) or arranged for other decorative display purposes and connected in an electric circuit power supply (not shown) for lighting the lamp 20 in the well understood manner, heat and light radiated from the lamp filament Ziib is effective to vaporize liquid I2a in the tube bottom space I8 below the lower layer Ifib and to maintain separating section I? between said layers substantially filled with bubbleless'vapor I9.

The heat from lamp filament 29b beside producing said vaporization also causes flash expulsion of a portion of the confined vapors I9 to expand through said partition layer opening I91 into the liquid column I2 thereabove in the formof a stream of flowin bubbles I5, rising through the liquid column I 2. The sleeve holder 22 serves as a conduit to confine the heat conducting medium, namely, essary degree of heat and requiring a minimum heat source at lamp filament 20b, sufficient light beams from the latter being projected through said diaphragm openings if and I99 to illumia nate the liquid column I2 and bubbles I5 to produce an attractive activated bubble lighting ef-- feet.

The lighting of bulb 20 also illuminates the side walls of the tube body I I to the top end I Ib there of and imparts an appearance suggestive of a lighted candle.

It has been found that an absolutel tight joint between the diaphragm layer flange id and the side walls of the tube body II is not required and, that a slight leakage thereat does not seriously affect the operation of the device I 0.

The improved method embodying the invention inthe form above described will now be apparent. The column of volatile liquid. I2 within the tube body II, which when said device I0 is operating,

air therein for producing the necextends between the upper diaphragm layer I606 and the top tube space l3, and is under less than atmospheric pressure because of the evacuated condition of said top space I3. The device I9 has external illuminating radiant heat applied, as by means of a suitable heatsource, such as the glowingfilament 20b of lamp 20 which is directed to maintain said space I! substantially filled with .vapor I9. Heat from said lamp filament 29b is keep the effective volume then continuously supplied to the vapors I9 in said separating section I1 to an effective degree suffi'cient through heating of liquid I2a in space I8 for generating pressure periodically in excess of that dueto. the column of liquid I2 whereby flash expulsion of a portion of the vapors I9 takes place expanding through diaphragm layer. opening it and forming a bubble I5 which floats up through the liquid column I2. After each flash expulsion the pressure of vapors I9 for an instance apparently is'reduced to permit a small amount of liquid I2 to trickle down below the diaphragm member lfi where it is vaporized; The vapor pressure in said separating section I 1 between said diaphragm layers I So and I Gb is then again built up and said flash expulsion repeatedly forming other bubbles I5 in passing through said diaphragm opening 6fin succes- S1011.

Thus a stream of flowing bubbles I5" rising through liquidcolumn I2 is produced and is illuminated by light beams emanating from the lamp filament 20b.

The bubbles I 5 of the flowing stream on reach: ing top space I3 after passing through the liquid column I2 are cooler, condense and liquif -returning to the liquid column I2 in tube body I I and replenishing same to continue the cycle of operation above described as long as said illumi nating radiant heat from lamp filament- Zllb'is directed to act on said vapors I 9; in separating section II; Tobe more accurate said bubble forming action continues to take place as long as there exists a heat gradient or difierentialtemperature between the hotter portion of said vapors I9 forming bubbles I5 and the cooler evacuated tube top space I3 In Fig. 5 there is shown a modified formoftheinvention having'a double diaphragm member 2'6 having upper 2611 which differs from said diaphragm, member I 9 above described by providing in place of open: ing- I'Eif-in upper partition layer IIia; one or more peripherial through-passages or grooves 261" be tween rim edge or flange 2612 on partition 216a and the side walls of tube body I I as shown in' Fig. 3. The method of operation is the same as has been described with the construction assembly using diaphragm I6 and shown in Fig.1 except flash expulsion of vapors 29 in space 21 forming the bubbles I5 takes place through one of said passages 26]; The doublediaphra gmmember' 2.6

may have the lower partition 26?) thereof formed with opening 269.

In Fig. '7, still another modified form ofgtheinvention is shown Here an additional featurei's added in providing insoluble granular porous particles 39, such as pumice, which practicall fills bottom space 38 under double diaphragm member 35 to increase the heating conductivity andfto Y of the filled space 38 relatively small whereby liquid I 20: therein may be more rapidly heated, particularly when, startling. The diaphragm member 36 ma have spaced through-opening 369 in the lower partition layer 36b formed'small' enough to retain said particles partition 26a and lower partition 5 40 within said spae'38, as shown' in Fig; 4a. The form of the invention shown in Fig. 4, operates in the same manner as has been described for device i0 and shown in Fig. 1, the flash expulsion of vapor 38 in space 31 forming bubbles l takes place through said layer openings 36 of the lower partition layer 361).

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 2, 5 and '7, the through-openings or passages in upper diaphragm layers, 56), 26f and 36], re-

spectively, may be made larger than the throughopenings ifig, 26g and 39g in lower diaphragm layer, respectively.

It is to be understood that all the modified constructions described above may be assembled in holders 22 and supportingly mounted over incandescent lamps in the manner described for device Ill and shown in Fig; .lai'f-i i.

It is therefore seen that there is provided improved devices and a method of operation in which the objects of the invention are achieved and which are well adapted to meet all conditions of practical. use.

As various possible embodiments may be made in the above invention for use for different purposes and as various changes might be made in the embodiments and method above set forth, it is understood that all the above matters here set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawing are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limit- 5" ing sens-e.

Thus having described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a device of the character described producing ornamental bubble effects, a vertically disposed sealed transparent tube body, a translucent low-temperature boiling liquid column filling a mid-portion of said tube body, thin sheet material spaced apart upper and lower diaphragm layers positioned in the lower end of said tube body with said lower diaphragm layers short of the bottom thereof to provide space for a relatively small quantity of liquid from said column, heated bubble-free vapors of said liquid column substantially filling the tube body between said diaphragm layers for retaining the liquid column above the upper layers diaphragm and said quantity of liquid below the lower diaphragm, and means carried by said diaphragm layers communicating said vapors with the liquid column and said quantity of liquid, above and below said diaphragm layers respectively, to permit flash expulsion of expanding portions of said vapors as bubbles into the liquid column through the upper diaphragm layers and to permit seepage from the liquid column through vapors and into said space to replenish the quantity of liquid therein.

2. In a device of the character described producing ornamental bubble effects, a vertically disposed sealed transparent tube body, a translucent low-temperature boiling liquid column filling a mid-portion of said tube body, thin sheet material spaced apart upper and low-er diaphragm layers positioned in the lower end of said tube body with said lower diaphragm layer short of the bottom thereof to provide space for a relatively small quantity of liquid from said column, heated vapors of said liquid column. substantially occupying the tube body between said diaphragm layers at a pressure to retain the liquid column above said upper diaphragm layer and said quantity of liquid below the lower diaphragm layer, mean carried by said diaphragm lay-ers communicating said vapors with the liquid column and said quantity of liquid, above and below said diaphragm layers respectively; to permit flash expulsion of expanding portions of said vapors as bubbles into the liquid columnithroug-h the upper diaphragm layer and to permit seepage from the liquid column through said vapors and into said space to replenish the quantity of liquid therein, said communicating means including through-opening in each of said diaphragms, and means for retaining said diaphragm layers in said position against accidental movement.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said communicating means includes at least one passage between said upper diaphragm and the adjacent wall of the tube body through which said expanding portions of the vapors pass as bubbles.

4. In a device of the character described producing ornamental bubble efiects, a vertically disposed sealed transparent tube body, a translucent low-temperature boiling liquid column partially filling said tube body, thin sheet material spaced apart. upper and lowerldiaphragm layers positioned in the lower end of said tube body and providing a section space under the lower diaphragm layer, heated bubble-free vapors of said liquid column expanded to provide a pocket between said diaphragm layers with the liquid column retained above said upper diaphragm and a relatively small quantity of heated liquid from said column occupying said section spacev under the lower diaphragm layer, said diaphragm layers each having an opening therethrough communicating said vapors with the liquid column to permit flash eX- pulsion of expanding portions of said vapor as bubble-s up through the upper diaphragm layer opening into the liquid column and to permit vaporization passage of portions of said quantity of heated liquid in the section space through the lower diaphragm layer opening into the space vapor pocket, said tube body formed with a heat dissipating upper end :above the level of said liquid column to which the bubbles rising in said column pass for liquefaction, and heating means direct to said quantity liquid in said section space.

5. A device as defined in claim 4 in which said upper diaphragm layer opening is made larger than the lower diaphragm layer opening.

6. A device as defined in claim 4 in which said section space is filled with a porous granular material.

7. A device as defined in claim i in which said upper diaphragm layer opening comprises a pas sage between said upper diaphragm layer and adjacent Wall of the tube body.

8. In a device of the character described producing ornamental bubble effects, a vertically disposed tube body having a lower end, a liquid sealed in to partially fill said tube body, and thin sheet foraminous material spaced apart upper and lower diaphragm layers positioned in the lower end of said tube body to provide a pocket between said diaphragm layers and a section space below said lower diaphragm.

9. A device as defined in claim 8 in which said diaphragm layers are formed with integral means for retaining said diaphragm layers in said position.

10. A device as defined in claim 8 in which said diaphragm layers are formed with means for retaining same against movement from said spaced apart position, and porous material confined in said section space under the lower diaphragm layer.

11. A device as defined in claim 4 which includes interconnecting means for supporting and retain- 7 ing said diaphragm layers in said spaced apart position.

12. In a device of the character described producing ornamental bubble efiects, a vertically disposed tube body having a lower end, a liquid sealed in to partially fill said tube body, and thin sheet material spaced apart upper and lower diaphragm layers positioned in the lower end of said tube body to provide a pocket between said diaphragm layers and a section space below said lower diaphragm, said layers each having communicating passages there'through :to the opposite side thereof.

13. In a method of the character described for producing ornamental bubble effects, the steps of forming a first bubble-free vapor pocket of predetermincd constant volume under pressure of a column of liquid and over a communicating second pocket of predetermined volume containing a relatively small quantity of liquid, and heating said first vapor pocket by passing vapors therethrough from heated liquid in said second pocket thereunder for intermittently flash expulsion: of an; expanded portion of the vapor from said; first vapor pocket as a stream of bubbles, flowing: solely up through the liquid column. s

14. Themethodas defined in claim. 13 in which seepage from the liquid column drains through the first vapor pocket into said communicating pocket to replace the expand-ed vapor portion forming said bubble stream.

ABRAHAM ABRAMSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name. Date- 2,353,063 Otis July 4', 1944 2378,93 1 Koloner .June 26, 1945 2,383,941 Otis Sept. 4, 1945 

